Friday at the school

Friday was the last work day for team 1 but no less packed with activity.

Nancy continued her participation in Mr. Ayoni's class.  One wouldn't know that she wasn't a seasoned teacher and the kids clearly loved her.  Following is a link to a video of Nancy reading to the class.

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As has become a tradition, we presented the cafeteria staff with card and contribution in appreciation of their outstanding service and hospitality in keeping well nourished throughout the week.  Ginger assisted the staff with lunch cleanup most every day.

Friday was a big day for Mr. Ayoni's and Nancy's class as we planned for a pizza party during lunch in the nearby park.  While Friday was the first rainy day of the week, thankfully the weather cooperated, and the party was a rousing success.

Lydia and Benjamin joined us for the pizza party and Peter provided mom with a little break so she could eat her pizza.

After pizza, an impromptu but highly competitive football (soccer) game ensued.  Mike and Peter both served as goalie for each team.  Clearly they were no match for the skilled kids and both gave up three goals in very short order.

Team 2 began arriving today.  Elaine, Norine, Miriam and Jan all arrived safely in time for the evening meeting and devotion followed by another excellent group dinner.  We are anticipating Jim and Elizabeth Short's safe arrival on Saturday.  Mike departs for Durham on Saturday.  

  

Thursday at the school

Thursday saw a continuation of the week's activities.  The recording of heights and weights for all children was completed, painting and maintenance continued and support for the dentists was ongoing.

We updated the St. Luke's panel to celebrate the pioneering work of John and Jean Willard as well memorializing the friends and team members we've lost, Jim Hooker and Pam Chapman.

A daughter of one of the cafeteria workers enjoys a lollipop compliments of Ginger.

Randy and Ginger added to the artwork in dental waiting area with (pleasant) biblical versus with references to teeth.

In addition to the day's work, weekly chapel occurs each Thursday.  Chapel is held in the cafeteria in three sessions, divided by age group.  The first two sessions (younger children) are led primarily by the teachers, with the third session (older children) led primarily by the children.  We were very impressed when at one point when the children were reciting the Apostle's Creed, and got out of sync, the youth leader, stopped everyone so they could restart and stay in sync.  

        

   

Wednesday at the School

After breakfast the team all began what trust will become a tradition and signed the new St. Luke's panel.

Randy and Ginger continued with much needed painting duties, with Ginger painting that exterior of the cafeteria and Randy adding a nice touch to the dental waiting room.

As always, the students were full of good cheer and and not shy about getting attention.

Bob and Nancy continued working in the classrooms.  Here's Bob with Japhet, who recognized Bob from previous visits.

After lunch we made a visit to San Pedro high school to visit the students sponsored by St. Luke's:  Ariany, Amini and Kevin.  Our fourth student, Valdimir was absent and we hope that team two will see him next week.

  

Tuesday at the school

Nancy spent most of the day teaching and tutoring. She'll be spending time with this same class (standard 3- the equivalent of our 5th grade) for the remainder of her two weeks at Holy Cross.

Eileen was skilled enough to get a few of the children to slow down long enough to get their picture taken.  Most of the children are clearly not shy and most enthusiastic about getting their picture taken.

Lunch is a typically joyous time, managed as always with speed and efficiency by the staff.  The 2007 St. Luke's team helped construct the cafeteria.  

Peter and Eileen confer with Mr. Rodney Griffith, the school's new principal.

  

Following our evening meeting and devotional, our group dinners are a relaxing end to the day.  Here we are at Elvi's, one the regular hangouts for each year's St. Luke's teams.   

Monday at the school



After a typically hearty breakfast served up by the excellent cafeteria staff.  Ms. Dora, our volunteer contact and a graduate of Holy Cross, took us on a tour of San Mateo.  In addition to being on staff at Holy Cross, Dora is currently studying tourism at local junior college and is the daughter of Mr. Freddy, the school's head of maintenance and Ms. Rosalea, who heads the cafeteria.

  

Eileen, Mike and Lera spend the day recording heights and weights of the children.  Beyond the the important tasks of, gathering the children, measuring height and weight, recording them on paper and then adding them to the spreadsheet, this was a wonderful time to interact with the children.

Randy and Ginger ensured that St. Luke's is properly represented among the many murals and other paintings from the many churches and organisations who support Holy Cross.

The finished product celebrates a wonderful 10 year partnership between Holy Cross and St. Luke's.

Off to Belize City for church

Eileen, Peter, Lera and Mike headed off to early to catch the 6:30 water taxi to Belize City to the 8:30 service at St. John's Cathedral.

The congregation at St. John's could not have been more welcoming and the group was introduced during announcements.  After the service we found a taxi driver who gave us a tour of Belize City before dropping us off for a quick brunch.  We caught the noon water taxi back to Ambergris Caye. 

Breakfast on the beach with Lydia 

The team had a long restful breakfast with Lydia, the Holy Cross Volunteer Coordinator and her family, including their newest arrival, Benjamin.  Benjamin gets to know Eileen and Lera.

  

The team enjoyed good food, much coffee and fellowship.  Lydia's older son Jonathan was thrilled with a gift compliments of Peter and Sandra.